Overview
Chester is a city in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. Chester is a suburb of the city of Philadelphia. The current population estimate is 30,409. The city is predominantly made up of African Americans, making up 79% of the population. Chester is known for poverty and high crime, as almost 40% of residents live below the poverty line.
4 sights · 2 things to do · 2 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Chester
William Penn Landing Site
A monument along the Delaware River the first landing of territorial governor William Penn in Pennsylvania in October 1682.
1724 Chester Courthouse
Oldest public building in the United States.
St. Paul's Church
Episcopal church founded in 1702. The current church was built in 1900 in English Gothic style with granite and limestone. It has an Aeolian-Skinner organ donated in 1956.
Widener University Observatory
Harrah's Philadelphia
Casino located on the Delaware River, with 2000 slot machines, table games, horse racing, and sports betting.
Philadelphia Union
Philadelphia's Major League Soccer franchise, which was founded in 2008 and played its first season in 2010, plays its home games at Subaru Park in Chester. The stadium is located on the Delaware River and offers a spect…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Apr–Oct. Summer highs reach about 87°F; winter lows dip to about 26°F. Wettest: Jun and Jul. (climate data from nearby Wilmington)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- PHL Philadelphia International Airport, Philadelphia — 7 mi away (major hub). Directions
- ILG Wilmington Airport, Wilmington — 17 mi away. Directions
Chester is located at the junction of Interstate 476 (the Blue Route) and Interstate 95.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning William Penn Landing Site, 1724 Chester Courthouse
- Afternoon Philadelphia Union
Day 2
- Morning St. Paul's Church, Widener University Observatory
- Afternoon Harrah's Philadelphia
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
OB's Jamaican Restaurant- 1000 W 2nd St. Quality, affordable Jamaican cuisine a few blocks from Subaru Park and the Commodore Barry Bridge. A good place to stop for a pre-game meal.
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
History
The first European settlement in the area that became Chester was Finlandia settled by the Swedes followed by the settlement of Upland. They built Fort Mecoponacka in 1641 to defend the settlement. By 1682, Upland was the most populous town of the new Province of Pennsylvania. On October 27, the ship Welcome arrived at the town, bearing William Penn on his first visit to the province. Penn renamed the settlement for the English city of Chester.
Chester served as the county seat for Chester County, which then stretched from the Delaware River to the Susquehanna River. In 1789, the city became the county seat for the newly created Delaware County, but the county seat was moved to the borough of Media, PA in 1851.
Get in
By car
Chester is located at the junction of Interstate 476 (the Blue Route) and Interstate 95.
By public transit
SEPTA Wilmington/Newark Line (Regional Rail) stops at Chester.
Get around
Chester is a compact city with an excellent public transport system (SEPTA buses and Regional Rail).
See
See William Penn Landing Site
A monument along the Delaware River the first landing of territorial governor William Penn in Pennsylvania in October 1682.
Do
Do Philadelphia Union
Philadelphia's Major League Soccer franchise, which was founded in 2008 and played its first season in 2010, plays its home games at Subaru Park in Chester. The stadium is located on the Delaware River and offers a spectacular view of the Commodore Barry Bridge. The stadium is also home to Philadelphia Union II, which plays in the second-level USL Championship as the MLS team's reserve side.
Eat
OB's Jamaican Restaurant- 1000 W 2nd St. Quality, affordable Jamaican cuisine a few blocks from Subaru Park and the Commodore Barry Bridge. A good place to stop for a pre-game meal.
Sleep
Go next
Nearby
Rose Valley
City / town · 3 listings · 3 mi away
Swarthmore
City / town · 10 listings · 4 mi away
Gibbstown
City / town · 5 mi away
Media
City / town · 24 listings · 5 mi away
Tinicum Township
City / town · 13 listings · 5 mi away
Claymont
City / town · 10 listings · 6 mi away
Swedesboro
City / town · 10 listings · 8 mi away
Upper Darby
City / town · 2 listings · 8 mi away
My experience
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